THE LITHUANIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Science is an indispensable part of any nation’s culture and at the same time an important prerequisite of the economic and social progress of a country.

The development of scientific thought in Lithuania saw periods of excellence and decline. Under the impact of national revival an attempt was made to establish the Academy of Sciences as the highest autonomous institution of science and culture in Lithuania, which besides its direct science development and promotion functions would also stand as a symbol of the State prestige. The idea to establish the Academy of Sciences was first conceived at the beginning of the 20th century by the Lithuanian Learned Society members (J. Basanavicius, K.Buga, J.Sliupas, and others). The most distinguished intellectuals of Lithuania strove to implement it. However, it was not until 1939 Studies was established and it became the basis of the system of the Humanities Institutes of the Academy founded later

Owing to the historical circumstances, the Academy of Sciences was established on 16 January 1941, i.e. at the moment when Lithuania had already lost its independence. Its first President was the famous Lithuanian scholar and writer VKrëvë – Mickevièius. During the first stage of its establishment which coincided with the years of the war the Humanities prevailed in the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. In the post-war years the reestablished Academy of Sciences functioned under harsh conditions when the activities of scientists were strictly regulated but within the Academy of Sciences the progressive scientific thought was always alive. It was especially stimulated by a great authority in electrochemistry, Prof. Juozas Matulis, the long-standing President of the Academy of Sciences. A number of science institutions were established, and the scientific community was growing. The most advanced were the studies in the fields of physics, mathematics and in some natural sciences. Their main research trends were taking shape. It was in these fields that the most significant scientific results widely known and recognized all over the world were achieved. The ideologized humanities and social sciences were on the decline. However, the ideas of nation’s statehood and sovereignty, love and concern for the country’s problems and fate have never perished.

The Academy of Sciences made a major contribution in promoting the idea of restoration of Lithuania’s independence and in creating the ways and means of its implementation. As early as in 1989 the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences proclaimed its independence of the USSR Academy of Sciences. This proclamation initiated a period of reforms. At that time the President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences was the prominent physicist Academician Juras Poþela. In March 1990 the Academy of Sciences announced its decision to be independent of any state or political institution. At that time the Academy of Sciences was structured as a network of 17 scientific research institutes, and a number of auxiliary scientific and industrial enterprises. More than 5.6 thousand employees worked there, including 2 thousand scientists who were engaged in research.

On February 12, 1991 a law of the Lithuanian Republic on Science and Studies was passed which defined the status of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences within the system of the country’s scientific institutions and determined its relations with the State. According to this law, a new Statute of the Academy of Sciences was drafted and on 18 March 2003 confirmed by the Parliament of the Lithuanian Republic. The enactment of the law mentioned above and the new Statute of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences ended the period of reforms in the Academy. Since 1992 to 2003 the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences was headed by the well-known biochemist Academician Benediktas Juodka. On 9 September 2003 Academician Zenonas Rokus Rudzikas has been elected the President of the Academy.

The prestige and influence of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences is felt in nearly every field of the country’s scientific life. This has been achieved by close scientific cooperation. The scientists trained by the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences work in a large number of Lithuania’s scientific and educational institutions. Out of 29 state scientific research institutes functioning nowadays 24 institutes were established and expanded by the Academy of Sciences.

1. The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Academy) is a budgetary institution, which brings together the most distinguished Lithuanian scientists and foreign scientists whose academic activities are related to Lithuania.

2. In its activities, the Lithuanian Academy of Science shall follow the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, the Law on Research and Higher Education, the present Charter and other legal acts.

3. The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, seeking to implement humanistic ideals, democracy and the wellbeing of the Republic of Lithuania and to contribute to strengthening the State, has the following main objectives:

to unite scientific forces to solve major problems of cultural, economic, linguistic, scientific, economic and social progress of Lithuania:

to encourage and maintain a high level of scientific research and studies in Lithuania;

to foster the personalities of scientists and to act as an intellectual centre for Lithuanian scientists;

to encourage and conduct interdisciplinary, fundamental research;

to encourage and aid co-operation between scientific centres in Lithuania and other countries;

to be a scientific expert on the issues of science and higher education, technology, economy, culture, social development, environmental protection, health care and other issues;

4. Seeking these objectives, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences shall:

set up scientific research and expert groups, commissions, committees, temporary bodies;

conclude co-operation agreements with scientific and higher education institutions and organisations in Lithuania and abroad;

in the procedure established by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, have a right to fulfil the functions of a founder of scientific research institutions, parks of science and technology.

organise scientific congresses, conferences, symposia, seminars and other events in accordance with the profile of the activity of the Academy of Sciences;

join international scientific organisations, encourage its members to take an active part in them, participate in international programs and the work of scientific institutions;

encourage young scientists and students to engage in scientific research work, grant scholarships to excellent students, send young scientists on sabbaticals or work at scientific centres abroad;

establish prizes and awards for outstanding achievements in science;

increase its own property, as well as the property entrusted to it by the State, develop multifarious activities related to science;

support the activity of scientific societies, and spread knowledge;

5. The official name of the institution is the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. The Academy of Sciences has its own seal, logo, flag and other symbols. The Academy of Sciences is a legal entity. The address of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences is Gediminas Ave. 3, 2600 Vilnius, Republic of Lithuania.

6. The Academy of Sciences is a non-profit organisation. The main sources of financing its activity are as follows: state subsidies; charity and support funds; incomes from international programs and clients; incomes earned by its own activities. The General Assembly shall confirm the annual budget of the Academy of Sciences, which is managed in the procedure established by the Ministry of Finance, and the report on its execution.

7. The property of the Academy of Sciences shall consist of intellectual work, buildings, movable property, financial resources, securities and other valuables provided for in laws. The Academy of Sciences governs the state property, land plots (according to the list confirmed by the Government) and uses this property without payment.

II. STRUCTURE OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

8. The highest institution of the Academy of Sciences is the General Assembly of its members.

9. The President of the Academy of Sciences and the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences shall direct the activities of the Academy of Sciences between the sessions of the General Assembly.

11. The highest institution of a Scientific Division is its General Assembly.

12. Between the meetings of the General Assembly, the activities of the Divisions shall be guided by a bureau and its chairperson.

13. The Academy of Sciences is the founder of the Library of the Academy of Sciences, the Archives of the Academy of Sciences, the Palace of Scientists of the Academy of Sciences and other institutions.

14. The structure of the Academy of Sciences is determined and approved by the General Assembly of the Academy of Sciences.

Structure

The Presidium of the Academy of Sciences

President Acad. Zenonas Rokus Rudzikas

Vice-President Acad. Veronika Vasiliauskiene

Secretary General Acad. Valdemaras Razumas

Chairman of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division Acad. Leonardas Sauka